Couples retreat

Plot

Vince Vaughn stars in Couples Retreat which sees four couples go to a tropical island resort. While one of them go to work on their marriage. The other three go for sun, sea and jet ski.

What they discover is that participation in the resorts couple therapy programme is not optional and soon all four couples realise that they all have their equal share of problems.

Summary

I was very interested in seeing this film as it stars Vaughn and Jon Favreau, who were brilliant on screen together in the 1996 cult comedy Swingers.

My high expectations were not achieved.

Couples Retreat seems to be confused about what its target audience actually is.

On the surface it seems a film that is designed for couples, but when actually viewed there are a lot of erection and masturbation jokes that seem like they are more suited for a younger audience comedy like American Pie and Road Trip.

The humour while there in small doses (the yoga scene undoubtedly the best) stops and starts and at just under two hours long the film does seem like it can drag.

While the characters do face hurt and pain the director (Peter Billingsley) never seems to dwell on these moments so that the film stays within the boundaries of a comedy.

Vaughn is on good form again here playing the “know it all” character that he is an expert at, but unlike his other films recently (Wedding crashers and Dodgeball) his character seems to be more muted and less outstanding.

Overall

While the movie wasn't bad, it definitely is something that is forgettable.

The plot of the film is good and the setting of the film in beautiful Bora Bora is breathtaking, but there just are not enough comedy scenes to keep the movie going for its 107 minute length.

I really did expect more from Vaughn and Favreau and was disappointed overall with this effort.

At the end of the day you will have laughs, you will have your your fare share of eye candy and it is not the worst comedy I have seen this year (step forward Disaster movie).

Crunch Rating -